who is mack hollins and what did he do
Mack Hollins is an American NFL wide receiver known both for his journeyman career across several teams and for his high-effort special teams play and community work off the field.
Who is Mack Hollins?
- Mack Hollins was born on September 16, 1993, in Rockville, Maryland, and grew up playing football before taking an unconventional path to college and the NFL.
- He walked on to the University of North Carolina (UNC) football team in 2012 after not receiving major scholarship offers, eventually becoming one of the more productive receivers in school history.
- Hollins was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft as a wide receiver and special teams contributor.
Quick career snapshot (teams)
- Philadelphia Eagles (drafted 2017).
- Miami Dolphins (notably 2020–2022, where he became a team captain).
- Las Vegas Raiders (standout 2022 season with career highs in catches and yards).
- Atlanta Falcons (signed a one-year deal in March 2023).
- Buffalo Bills (signed in March 2024, led the team in touchdown catches that season).
- New England Patriots (signed a two-year deal in March 2025, playing as a receiver and special teams contributor).
What did he do in football?
College impact
- At UNC, Hollins arrived as a walk-on but was quickly named special teams captain as a freshman in 2013, signaling his reputation for hustle and leadership.
- He became one of UNC’s top deep threats, leading the NCAA in yards per reception (24.8) as a junior and setting the UNC career record for yards per catch (20.6).
- He finished his college career with 81 receptions, 1,667 yards, and 20 receiving touchdowns, ranking among the program’s top receivers.
NFL highlights and “what he did” on the field
- Hollins is known as a versatile receiver who contributes heavily on special teams, blocking, and locker-room leadership, not just catching passes.
- With the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022, he had a breakout season: 56 receptions for 690 yards and four touchdowns, career highs in several categories.
- With the Buffalo Bills in 2024, he was brought in primarily as a blocking receiver and special teamer but ended up catching five touchdowns, leading the team and setting a new personal best.
- By the 2025 season with the New England Patriots, he recorded 46 receptions for 550 yards and two touchdowns before an abdomen injury landed him on injured reserve late in the year.
Key stats table (HTML, as requested)
| Season / Team | Role / Notable Contribution | Key Stats (where available) |
|---|---|---|
| UNC (college) | [7]Walk-on turned captain, deep-threat receiver, special teams leader | 81 receptions, 1,667 yards, 20 TDs; 20.6 yards per catch career; led NCAA with 24.8 YPC as junior | [7]
| Las Vegas Raiders 2022 | [1]Breakout year as starting WR, big-play and special teams contributor | 56 receptions, 690 yards, 4 TDs (career high production) | [1]
| Atlanta Falcons 2023 | [5][1]Depth receiver and special teamer | 18 receptions, 251 yards, 0 TDs in 13 games (3 starts) | [1]
| Buffalo Bills 2024 | [3][5]Blocking WR, special teams, red-zone target | Led team with 5 receiving TDs, a new career-high for him | [3][5]
| New England Patriots 2025 | [9][5]Starting WR and core special teamer before injury | 46 receptions, 550 yards, 2 TDs in 15 games; placed on IR Dec 27 with abdomen injury | [5]
Off the field: community and personality
- Hollins is widely recognized for his community service and involvement with Special Olympics, where he has been active since his UNC days.
- In 2023, he was named a Global Ambassador for Special Olympics and is noted for leading whichever team he’s on in community service hours.
- He also has a reputation for a unique, sometimes quirky personality (for example, being open about interests like farming and self-sufficiency, discussed in interviews), which has made him a fan favorite in various cities.
Latest news and trending context (early 2026)
- As of early 2026, Hollins is with the New England Patriots and has been part of playoff and Super Bowl conversations because of the team’s recent success and his prior postseason experience.
- He is often discussed in forums and sports media as an example of a hard-working role player who carved out a long NFL career despite entering college as a walk-on and not being a typical star recruit.
TL;DR
Mack Hollins is an NFL wide receiver who built his career on special teams, blocking, leadership, and occasional breakout receiving seasons, after starting as a walk-on at UNC and moving through several NFL teams. He’s also known for his Special Olympics advocacy and community work, which has become a significant part of his public profile.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.